For many of us, 2017 had its ups and downs. We may be up personally but down politically; up spiritually but down financially. Regardless of our trajectory on any given issue, the one thing that was always on the level was our relationship with our Boo. The love was real. The fun was real. The relationship was untouchable.
But as 2018 rolls around and we search for ways to elevate the things that had our spirits down, it can be easy to neglect the things that held us up. So, before your relationship falls victim to a sneaky issue or gets hijacked by a major one, here are some areas to watch out for in 2018 and the effective ways to combat them.
Politically Speaking
Whether you live in a red or blue state or are rooting for the elephants or the donkeys, your relationship could be headed for trouble if you and your significant other stand on opposite corners of the political ring. The thing that makes these kinds of conversations difficult is that each person usually relies heavily on ideology that falls within party lines as opposed to true personal conviction. As such, you find yourself calling your mate’s character into question.
If you are brave enough to walk into this kind of conversation in your relationship, then be prepared for one of two things:
- From the onset, and before things get crazy, agree to disagree on any point of contention. Make sure you have clearly heard each other out, but if there is an impasse, agree to let it go without judgment.
- Take the time to utilize effective communication skills in order to truly hear and understand your partner’s point of view. Don’t just listen to counter their thoughts. Listen to understand their reasoning and see if you can find room to agree. The time and place of these kinds of conversations will also be a key factor in keeping your relationship on the high ground.
Health Concerns
When one person in a relationship suffers from a debilitating or chronic illness, it can definitely take a toll on what was once a beautiful thing. For the person who is suffering, nothing is quite as scary as a troubling diagnosis from a doctor. It affects both the physical and mental health of the patient. Often times, their behavior changes as a result of guilt and they begin to treat their mate poorly.
On the flip side, the supporting partner fights to remain just that, supportive. But the weariness of trips to the doctor along with the fear of what’s to come also plays games with their minds. Soon, they could find themselves becoming short tempered with the very person they are hurting for.
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Rather than each person suffering alone, talk to each other about your fears and your pain. Then go to God in prayer as a couple. Using spiritual convictions to battle earthly concerns is a powerful way to face issues together and keep your relationship strong.
Financial Issues
Whenever we head into a new year, our financial outlook can definitely wreak havoc on our lives. If we’re not careful, we tend to view our lives through the lens of the haves and the have nots. If you and your partner aren’t on the same page and you don’t have the same financial goals, your relationship is bound to go through it.
The good news is that leaving an old year and heading into a new one is by far one of the best times to set goals and outline the necessary steps to achieve them. Whether you call it a money making session, a wealth building party, or just a meeting on the money, the important thing is that you come to a meeting of the minds. Review the mishaps of the previous year and detail the areas you were hit the hardest. Then, create a financial vision board and put it in a place where you can both see it on a regular basis and hold each other accountable.
To say that these are all hot button issues is a serious understatement. Despite that, we can still be caught off guard and our relationship can take a serious hit if we’re not prepared to deal with them. Take a good look at the things that kept your relationship solid in 2017. Then, keep doing them. But don’t go to sleep on the sneaky stuff. Regardless of the topic, communicate, pray, and plan your way into a healthy relationship in 2018.
BMWK, Are you ready to protect your relationship in 2018?